Men's Center - A-Z Index

Sciatica

Sciatica refers to pain, weakness, numbness, or tingling in the leg. It is caused by injury to or pressure on the sciatic nerve. Sciatica is a symptom of another medical problem. It is not a medical condition on its own.

Alternative Names

Causes

Sciatica occurs when there is pressure or damage to the sciatic nerve. This nerve starts in the lower back and runs down the back of each leg. This nerve controls the muscles of the back of the knee and lower leg. It also provides sensation to the back of the thigh, part of the lower leg, and the sole of the foot.

Symptoms

Sciatica pain can vary widely. It may feel like a mild tingling, dull ache, or burning sensation. In some cases, the pain is severe enough to make a person unable to move.

The pain most often occurs on one side. Some people have sharp pain in one part of the leg or hip and numbness in other parts. The pain or numbness may also be felt on the back of the calf or on the sole of the foot. The affected leg may feel weak. Sometimes, your foot gets caught on the ground when walking.

The pain often starts slowly. It may get worse:

After standing or sitting

At night

When sneezing, coughing, or laughing

When bending backward or walking more than a few yards, especially if caused by spinal stenosis

Exams and Tests

The health care provider will perform a physical exam. This may show:

Weakness when bending the knee

Difficulty bending the foot inward or down

Difficulty bending forward or backward

Abnormal or weak reflexes

Loss of sensation or numbness

Pain when lifting the leg straight up off the examining table

Tests are often not needed unless pain is severe or long-lasting. If tests are ordered, they may include:

Blood tests

X-rays

MRIs or other imaging tests

Treatment

Because sciatica is a symptom of another medical condition, the underlying cause should be identified and treated.

In some cases, no treatment is required and recovery occurs on its own.

Conservative (non-surgical) treatment is best in many cases. Your doctor may recommend the following steps to calm your symptoms and reduce inflammation:

Apply heat or ice to the painful area. Try ice for the first 48 to 72 hours, then use heat.

Take over-the-counter pain relievers such as ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin IB) or acetaminophen (Tylenol).

Do not do heavy lifting or twisting of your back for the first 6 weeks after the pain begins.

Start exercising again after 2 to 3 weeks. Include exercises to strengthen your abdomen and improve flexibility of your spine.

Physical therapy may also be recommended. Additional treatments depend on the condition that is causing the sciatica.

If these measures do not help, your doctor may recommend injections
of certain medicines to reduce swelling around the nerve. Other medicines may be prescribed to help reduce the stabbing pains due to nerve irritation.

Nerve pain is very difficult to treat. If you have ongoing problems with pain, you may want to see a neurologist or a pain specialist to ensure that you have access to the widest range of treatment options.

Outlook (Prognosis)

Often, sciatica gets better on its own. But it is common for it to return.

Possible Complications

More serious complications depend on the cause of sciatica, such as slipped disc
or spinal stenosis
. Sciatica can lead to permanent numbness or weakness of your leg.

When to Contact a Medical Professional

Call your doctor right away if you have:

Unexplained fever with back pain

Back pain after a severe blow or fall

Redness or swelling on the back or spine

Pain traveling down your legs below the knee

Weakness or numbness in your buttocks, thigh, leg, or pelvis

Burning with urination or blood in your urine

Pain that is worse when you lie down, or awakens you at night

Severe pain and you cannot get comfortable

Loss of control of urine or stool (incontinence)

Also call if:

You have been losing weight unintentionally (not on purpose)

You use steroids or intravenous drugs

You have had back pain before, but this episode is different and feels worse

This episode of back pain has lasted longer than 4 weeks

Prevention

Prevention varies, depending on the cause of the nerve damage. Avoid prolonged sitting or lying with pressure on the buttocks.

Chou R, Qaseem A, Snow V, et al. Diagnosis and treatment of low back pain: a joint clinical practice guideline from the American College of Physicians and the American Pain Society. Ann Intern Med. 2007;147:478-491. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17909209

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